EBHA Approves Creation of 10 New Autonomous Communities

In a move aimed at decentralizing power and bringing development closer to the grassroots, the Ebonyi State House of Assembly has approved the creation of 10 new autonomous communities.

According to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Moses Ije Odunwa, “These autonomous communities when created, will help to, not only bring development closer to the grassroot, but also help to sustain the efforts of the government on security management in rural areas.”

The new communities will be carved out from Agbaja and Igbeagu autonomous communities, with six new communities emerging from Agbaja and four from Igbeagu.

Hon. Chukwu Arinze Lucas, Deputy Chief Whip of the House, described the request as a “right step in the right direction”, adding that it will offer the people at the grassroots the opportunity to manage their affairs and improve security of lives and properties.

The Speaker directed the Clerk to prepare a memo informing the Governor of the approval, with an addendum to extend the gesture to other Local Governments, stating, “Ebonyi State House of Assembly is saying that we need more of these communities to be created in other Local Governments, in Ebonyi State, since it will engender more development to the grassroots.”

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EBONYI STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY PRESS RELEASE

– EBHA Approves Request, To Create Autonomous Communities From Agbaja And Igbeagu Communities 

Ebonyi State State House of Assembly, has approved the request of the State Governor, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, to create additional six (6) autonomous communities and four (4) autonomous communities from Agbaja and Igbeagu autonomous communities respectively. The event, which took place at the Legislative Complex, Nkaliki Road Abakaliki, was presided by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Moses Ije Odunwa.

Reading the letter of the State Governor, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Moses Ije Odunwa said, that when the proposed Communities are created, it will engender more development to the grassroot, and strengthen the efforts of Ebonyi State Government, in security management at the rural areas. 

“These autonomous communities when created, will help to, not only bring development closer to the grassroot, but also help to sustain the efforts of the government on security management in rural areas. It is on this ground that I seek the approval of the Honourable House to create these autonomous communities as proposed.”

He outlined the communities to include:

– Mgbo Agbaja Autonomous Community,

– Abaofia Mgbo Autonomous Community,

– Oferekpe Agbaja Autonomous Community,

– Ndiechi Agbaja Autonomous Community,

– Ndiegu Agbaja Autonomous Community, and

– Enyim Agbaja Autonomous Community. 

All were carved from Agbaja Autonomous Community.

Whereas:

– Ndubia Autonomous Community,

– Nchoko Autonomous Community,

– Ndiechi Autonomous Community, and

– Ipheigwe Autonomous Community, were carved from Igbeagu Autonomous Community.

The Letter of the State Governor, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru was accepted as a Working document of the State House of Assembly, through a motion that was moved by the Deputy Leader of the House, and Member representing, Abakaliki South State Constituency, Hon. Joseph Ununu, and Seconded by the Member representing, Edda East State Constituency, Hon. Stephen Orji Igwe.

The Deputy Chief Whip of the House, and Member representing Ishielu South State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Chukwu Arinze Lucas, described the request as a right step, taken in the right direction, and maintained that it will offer the people at the grassroot the opportunity, to manage their affairs, and improves security of lives and properties. He called for the extension of the gesture, to other Local Governments.

“His Excellency, the Executive Governor has taken the right step in the right direction. These autonomous communities like he rightly said, will not only bring development to the various communities, but it will also ensure securities of lives and properties, because when we have these autonomous communities, people in various localities will be able to manage their affairs. Mr Speaker, it will also be necessary, just like the Deputy Leader of the House said, that the creation of these autonomous communities be extended to different Local Governments of the State, because I know that so many places in Ebonyi, just like my constituency that is one of the most heterogeneous Local Governments in the State are agitating for the creation of more autonomous communities. Mr Speaker, it will be good that we convey this message to the Executive Governor of the State, to look into different Local Governments, so that these autonomous communities will be created because, it will be able to sustain the peace we have in different local areas.”

The Member representing Izzi West State Constituency, Hon. Godwin Abiri, emphasized the vastness of Agbaja and Igbeagu autonomous communities, thanked the State Governor, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for making the all-important request, and expressed the needs to approve the request, adding that it will bring effective representation, development, and tranquility in those communities.

On his part, the Member representing Ezza North West State Constituency, Hon. Chikaodiri Nomeh, aligned his contribution to the submission of other Members, adding that it will reduce leadership tussles in those areas.

“I arise to align myself with the submissions of my Distinguished colleagues, and to add that this approval to create autonomous communities in the aforementioned communities will engender peace, development and unity. And it will also help in managing security within the localities, and I wish to add that if this can be extended to other communities, it will be of a great benefit to the local dwellers, and it will reduce leadership tussle in various areas.”

On their contributions, the Deputy Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Joseph Ununu, the Member representing Onicha East State Constituency, Hon. Celestine Ifeanyi Ogba, and Member representing Ezza South State Constituency, Hon. Friday Ogbuewu, supported the creation of the autonomous communities, and emphasized the needs, to extend the gesture to other Local Governments of Ebonyi State.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Moses Ije Odunwa, thanked the State Governor, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for listening to the request of the masses, and maintained that it will improve development, and bring government closer to the people. He aligned with the contributions of other Honourable Members, on the need to extend the gesture, to other Local Governments.

 “Ebonyi State House of Assembly is saying that we need more of these communities to be created in other Local Governments, in Ebonyi State, since it will engender more development to the grassroots.”

The Speaker however, put the motion on voice votes, and it was unanimously accepted. He directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs Edene Uche Blessing, to prepare a memo, informing the State Governor, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the approval of his request, with addition, that the gesture should be extended to other Local Governments.

“Clerk should convey this approval to His Excellency, the Governor of Ebonyi State, with the addendum that we need more.”

The House was adjourned to another Legislative day through a motion that was moved by the Chief Whip of the House, Rt. Hon. Nkemka Okorp Onuma, and seconded by the Member representing Ezza North West, Hon. Chikaodiri Nomeh.

Theophilus Ifeanyi Igwe,

Chief Press Secretary to the Right Honourable Speaker.

August 26, 2024.